Powerless Hero

1: Settling In

After my mom passed, I was placed in custody of her only living family member.
Bruce. Banner. Yup the one and only.

Living with an avenger hasn't really affected my life as much. He was always really busy anyways.

As I was getting ready for school I noticed a bunch of medical supplies sprawled across the living room table. I didn't think nothing much of it because it wasn't uncommon for him to sustain injuries during his work.

I went about my school day. Mostly alone due to everyone being scared of my uncle. Even after becoming an after school tutor, no one really wanted to be my friend.
So I spent most days in the library or hanging with my favorite teacher. Mrs. Yelnats.

Thing is, I haven't actually met the Hulk in person. I don't think I want to either. Even if I wasn't too chicken shit too tell him about anyone who bothered me.
It wasn't worth it.

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I arrived home later than usual to help as much as I could for the upcoming exams. I was over prepared for it and didn't mind sacrificing my free time to see our class average be the highest in our grade.

I usually take the bus but since it was so late, I caught a ride from my teacher.
Despite how much I hated having to bother my teacher, I'd take it to put my uncle's mind at ease. No matter how many times I try to convince him I can hold my own.

I sift through the fridge for whichever tupperware I wanted to microwave that night. Trying to figure out what was still good enough for me to eat. I'm not picky so I'd ended up getting sick a few times cause I ate something I shouldn't have. Not my fault it was that fucking good.

I didn't like eating by myself in the living room so I ate in my room instead. I'd pass by my uncle's work room only telling him I'm home and nothing more since he seemed to be busy. I didn't bother waiting for an answer.

Turning my tv on to some random channel just to have some background noise as I shoved food down my throat.

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It was getting later and I was expecting to exchange good nights. That never happened.

Much later I decided to go to him instead.
I'd found him on the couch. Weird. I didn't want to wake him so I went back to my room and maybe ask him about that in the morning. If I'd catch him before he went out.

I gave up on having a good nights sleep. I'd just turn on music and close my eyes hoping I could get a few hours before I succumbed to any number of nightmares.

On my worst days I would hurt myself. Mostly unintentional. I don't think my uncles caught on yet.

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I left my room after failing to get any sleep. Maybe exhausting myself enough would make me pass out.

Not expecting much it took me by surprise when I saw we had a guest. Tony Stark.

I froze for a bit and quickly hid in the hallway. I don't think he saw me so there was time for me to scurry back into my room and avoid any more connections to the avengers. But I was curious. Really curious.

So I tried again. I was going to introduce myself. Til I saw the state of him.

His hands were soaking in a bowl of ice water. Oh god. I didn't get close enough to see how bad they were. From where I was standing I could tell he was out of it.

I knew it wouldn't be too long until Bruce came back with more medical supplies.

I don't know what came over me but I felt like I had to do something.

He didn't even acknowledge me as I approached him. Maybe he'd think it was some kind of miracle that his hands had healed. Like an angel came down from heaven and he had just missed it.

I didn't even bother to examine how bad his hands were. I know I'll find out after.

I took a deep breath, placed my hands above his and closed my eyes.

"Heal."